Title: I Won't Accept Defeat - final part
Author: slacker_d
Pairing/Characters: Aubrey/Beca, Chloe, Fat Amy, Mr. Posen
Rating: PG-13
Summary: "My father would never approve of you," Aubrey explains. "You're not the partner that Thomas Posen pictured for his daughter, the future CEO of Posen Enterprises."
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Word Count: ~2,255
Spoilers: Pitch Perfect
A/N: based on a prompt from Kiarcheo who wanted Aubrey breaking up with Beca because Mr. Posen would never approve

Despite having a key, Aubrey still rings the doorbell. Her dad answers it, looking a bit surprised.

"Hello dad."

"Aubrey," he replies, letting her in. "I was hoping you and I could talk a bit before dinner."

"Of course dad," Aubrey tells him, her nervousness rising.

They sit at the kitchen table and Aubrey lets her hands drop into her lap, so she can fidget with them and not be too noticeable.

"It has come to my attention," her dad says. "That I may have been a bit unclear about my intentions for you."

"I'm not sure what you mean."

"Are you making your dating choices based off what I may think of the person?" he asks.

"Um…"

"Because while maintaining a proper public image is important, that isn't going to be all you need from your partner."

"Okay," Aubrey says, slowly.

"You're going to need someone to support you, listen to you, put up with you, love you, someone who'll bring out the best in you and hopefully vice versa."

"Uh…"

"And it's possible that this person may not match the physical description that either of us was thinking of for you originally, that doesn't mean he or she won't be perfect for you."

"Oh, well, I'll definitely keep that in mind," Aubrey replies. "Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Not exclusively," her dad says. "I also wanted to check in with you. Things are going all right, otherwise?"

Aubrey nods.

"Now would be the time to discuss things, Aubrey," her dad says. "Anything. I'm asking as your dad and not your boss."

Deciding to take him at face value, even if she's a bit thrown, Aubrey takes a deep breath and lets herself relax before talking. Aubrey can't even remember the last time she and her dad really sat down and talked. They talk about work and how things are going for Aubrey socially. Her dad seems pleased that she's hanging out with the other interns. They talk a little bit about what Bryon's up to and even what's going on at work for her dad, though it's more of a summary of what his day is like, not specific issues he's dealing with.

Aubrey is curious about dinner though. If her dad invited her over to talk, why not do it over food?

"Now normally I wouldn't meddle in your personal life," he dad says after glancing at the clock. "But I met someone recently and I invited them to dinner."

"You're seeing someone?" Aubrey asks, shocked.

"No," he replies. "I wanted to introduce them to you."

"Oh."

"I feel like they would be exactly what I was picturing for you," he continues. "And so I thought we could all have a nice dinner together."

Aubrey doesn't know how she feels about being set up by her dad. It just seems so out of character for him. This guy must have really impressed him if he's willing to invite him over for dinner. The nervousness is returning. She's still not sure she's ready for another relationship and the fact that her dad is facilitating it… The only good thing is that Aubrey's not worried about her dad being upset with her if she doesn't hit it off with his mystery guest.

"Um, all right."

The doorbell rings and her dad smiles.

"Five minutes early," he says. "Do you mind answering it? And I'll set dinner out."

"Um…"

But her dad is already standing and so Aubrey feels like her she has no choice in the matter. Sighing, she stands and slowly walks to the door.

Except when the door swings open, it's the last person Aubrey expected to see.

"Good evening, Bree," Beca smiles. "These are for you." It's a bouquet of orchids and dark red roses.

Still speechless, Aubrey accepts them.

"I hope you don't mind," Beca continues. "But since you weren't responding to my conventional methods of wooing, I thought I'd try something else."

"I… How…"

"May I come in?"

Aubrey nods and steps aside. Beca steps inside and closes the door behind her. She approaches Aubrey slowly and wraps her arms around her. The blonde expects Beca to kiss her, but instead the brunette seems content to just hold her.

"Hi," Beca smiles. Aubrey recognizes it because she only sees it when Beca's looking at her.

"Hi."

"We should probably get in there," Beca says. "Otherwise your dad will think I'm taking advantage of you."

Aubrey nods again, not sure what to say. Beca smirks and takes the hand that isn't holding the flowers and walks them into the kitchen.

"Oh good," her dad says when they enter the kitchen. "I thought maybe you'd gotten lost."

Beca shakes her head. "Someone's a bit surprised, is all."

"Understandable," he replies.

Beca has Aubrey sit at the table and then turns to her dad. "Need any help?"

"Just our drinks."

Beca nods and Aubrey watches in amazement as Beca floats around the kitchen. She looks so comfortable and Aubrey has a feeling that she's missing something.

…

Aubrey's amazement grows as she watches her dad interact with Beca. It's obvious that they've spent a great deal of time together, but what really amazes her is the amount of respect they seem to have for each other. Her dad seems to genuinely like Beca, even laughing at a sarcastic quip. And the affection towards her dad that Aubrey sees coming from Beca is something she'd never thought she'd witness.

"So is anyone going to explain to me what the hell is going on?"

"Well," Beca says. "After you ignored my letter, I decided that maybe just trying to convince you wasn't enough. So after doing a little research, I came here to ask Thomas for his permission to date you."

Aubrey is too shocked to speak. She can't believe Beca actually voluntarily sought out her dad. That took guts and Aubrey actually feels herself tearing up a bit that Beca didn't give up on her like she'd thought.

"I'll admit I was intrigued," her dad continues the story. "Anyone willing to come here and ask for my permission a least deserved a chance to prove herself. So we've been having dinner every week."

"You have?"

Beca nods. "We have. And I must say, it's been more enjoyable than expected."

Her dad actually smirks at Beca. "My sentiments, exactly."

"I even got to meet Bryon last week."

"You introduced her to Bryon?" Aubrey asks her dad.

He nods. "I was curious. And if Beca's going to be in your life, she'll have to meet him eventually."

"True," Aubrey allows. "Why do I still feel like I'm missing something? "

"Look Bree," Beca says. "You love me and I love you. But you said we couldn't be together because your dad wouldn't approve. So I came here to earn that, which I seem to have done. And so I was hoping that maybe you'd want to get back together."

"I…"

"Not as eloquently stated as I'd been hoping," her dad tells Beca.

"It's part of my charm," Beca tells him.

Aubrey looks to her dad. "Is this why you said what you said earlier?"

"It is."

"I guess we never really properly talked about it," Aubrey thinks out loud. "I just assumed things."

"We both did," he agrees.

"And you're okay with me dating Beca?"

"I am," her dad says. "She's intelligent, charming, ambitious, tenacious, and audacious. Just the fact that she came here to speak with me endeared her to me. That kind of hubris, I can admire."

"Thank you, Thomas," Beca says. "I feel the same way."

"I think I need to sit down," Aubrey says quietly.

"Um, you already are, Bree," Beca replies.

"Oh. Good for me."

"Maybe we should give her a minute," Beca suggests.

Her dad nods and Aubrey watches mutely as they begin eating and talking. They're comfortable with each other in a way that makes her envious. Letting her brain mull over what she's just been told, Aubrey realizes why Beca suddenly cut off communication, and why Chloe's been acting so odd for the past couple months and why the red head hated James so much. Aubrey groans. James. While she was going out on dates with a fellow intern, Beca was here at her childhood home charming her dad so they could continue to date. No wonder Chloe was upset about James.

"Whatever it is, Bree," Beca says, interrupting Aubrey's thought process. "I'm not mad."

Ignoring the question of how Beca knew what she was thinking, Aubrey says, "Are you sure you want to say that before you know?"

"A few dates with someone new, considering the situation, is totally understandable," Beca tells her.

"I…"

"But you're not seeing him anymore, are you?"

Aubrey shakes her head.

"Then it's not a big deal," Beca says.

"She's right, Aubrey," her dad adds.

"Okay."

She returns to her contemplation while her dad and Beca argue about whether or not technology is killing the novel. Half heartedly listening to them, Aubrey realizes that her dad doesn't necessarily believe what he's arguing. She knows he uses a great deal of technology in life and to be against it may be hypocritical. Instead, it seems that he simply enjoys arguing with Beca. After all, her arguments are logical and well thought out, which is something her dad craves in his debates.

Watching them, Aubrey wonders if this strange comradely means she underestimated Beca or her dad; maybe both. She also wonders why it's so difficult of a concept for her to grasp. Probably because it completely alters what she's been thinking for the past couple months.

…

"You okay, honey?"

Aubrey looks up. They've all finished eating and Beca is nowhere to be seen.

"Bathroom," her dad says, answering her unasked question.

"I feel like the rug's been pulled out from under me," she tells him.

He sighs. "That's my fault, I'm afraid. After talking with Beca, I've realized that you and I have never really talked properly."

"Dad, I'm not saying—"

"Aubrey," he interrupts. "There's a lot of things I could apologize for. But I really was trying to do what I thought best. After your mom…"

"I know, dad."

"I'm sorry if I've ever made you feel like you weren't good enough," he says quietly.

"You haven't," she assures him. "I just always worried too much because I never wanted to let you down."

"And you haven't."

"So you're really okay with me dating Beca?" Aubrey asks.

"I really am," he replies. "She might not be who I pictured you with, but I do think that she's exactly what you need."

"Thanks dad."

…

The evening doesn't end after dinner, like Aubrey expected. Instead, they stay in the kitchen and talk. Beca tells a mildly embarrassing story about not passing her driver's license test the first time to Aubrey's surprise. But then in an even more shocking move, her dad then tells an embarrassing story about his first day of high school gym. Then they look at her.

"What?"

"It's your turn," Beca says. "It doesn't have to be embarrassing, but we want to hear a story."

"Oh. Um, okay."

And after thinking a moment, Aubrey tells them about her first ever Bellas rehearsal and how Margo was an absolute bitch that was relentlessly cruel and the only reason she survived is because of Chloe.

…

"So you look pretty pleased with yourself," Aubrey says, leaning against her car.

Beca smirks. "I achieved something amazing. Why wouldn't I be?"

Aubrey sets her flowers on the hood of the car and then pulls Beca closer. "I'm sorry I thought you gave up."

Beca shrugs as she wraps her arms around Aubrey's waist. "You had no reason to think otherwise.'

"Chloe could have said something."

"I told her not to," Beca replies. "I didn't want to get your hopes up. Just in case."

"Oh." Aubrey leans in for a quick kiss. "Who would have thought you'd be so sweet?"

"Shut up, I am not."

"You are," Aubrey grins. "You're just a big old mushy romantic."

Beca rolls her eyes. "Because I had to be. Now that the tough part is done, I'm going to go back to being lazy and apathetic."

"Even during Sunday night dinner?"

Beca sighs. "No, I suppose not. Thomas would not approve."

Aubrey grins.

"What?"

"He lets you call him Thomas," Aubrey explains. "It means he really does like you."

"Oh." Beca grins back. "Cool."

"And now we're expected to attend weekly dinners?"

Beca shrugs. "I thought it'd be a good way for you and your dad to talk more. I know you both want that."

"See?" Aubrey replies. "Sweet."

…

When Aubrey lets Beca into the apartment, they're greeted by a squealing Chloe Beale who tackles them with a hug.

"Finally," she exclaims. "You've both been so mopey lately."

"We appreciate your approval," Beca smirks.

"Thanks for helping Beca," Aubrey adds.

"Anything for my two favorite people," Chloe replies.

"Well, since I have to work bright and early tomorrow," Aubrey says. "We're going to go to bed."

"Yeah, night, Chloe," Beca adds. She grabs Aubrey's hand and lets the blonde lead her to the bedroom.

"Night you two, don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"Certainly not," Beca says, turning around to smirk at Chloe. "We don't have enough time." She winks at the red head and then slams the bedroom door shut.

"Ah, young love," Chloe sighs, before heading into her own bedroom.